CAST BIOS

Olivia Akers (She/Her) (Elizabeth Bennet) is a junior BFA Acting major at Oklahoma City University. Recent credits include Dracula: A Feminist Retelling, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Othello. Special thanks to her family and friends for supporting her throughout this process. Faites bien votre part.

Karam Alkhatib (Captain Wentworth) is very excited to be working with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park this holiday season! He is an actor from Tulsa, OK with a BFA Acting degree from Oklahoma City University. University credits include Black Girl, Interrupted (Sidney) & My Dearest Partner of Greatness (MacBeth). Over the summer, he performed in Shakespeare in Love (Ralph), Romeo and Juliet (Paris), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Demetrius). He would like to thank his family and his partner Abigail for their constant love and support.

Kerynn Eckenrode (Lydia Bennet) is thrilled to be making her Oklahoma Shakespeare debut! Kerynn is from Temple, Texas, and is currently a senior BFA Acting major at The University of Oklahoma. Recent University credits include: Everybody (Death), Life of Galileo (Andrea), Life Sucks. (Ella).

Zaneen Fletcher-Hall (Mrs. Bennet) is excited to be back in Jane Austin’s Christmas Cracker. Zaneen is originally from England, where she started her theatre career but is happy to call Oklahoma her home. Zaneen has been seen in various theaters throughout the metro. Some of her favorite productions include Beyond, (19th Century Hound); Jeeves in Bloom (Carpenter Square Theatre) and Brief Encounter (Jewel Box Theatre). Zaneen would like to thank everyone that supports her and to her mother in the UK who would love to see her performances.

Justin Marlow (Mr. Darcy) is thrilled to be with Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park this Christmas. Justin is from Los Angeles, California, and a recent graduate from The University of Oklahoma with a BFA Theater: Acting emphasis. Most recent University credits include Burn This (Pale) Red Bike (Ensemble), A Midsummer Night's Dream (Oberon), Great Expectations (Narrator #2), and Tiny Beautiful Things (Letter Writer #1). OSP Credits: Born with Teeth (Kit Marlowe), A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Tour (Oberon/Flute), Romeo and Juliet (Mercutio), Shakespeare in Love (Lord Wessex/Adam), Much Ado About Nothing (Claudio), Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker (Cpt. Wentworth), Hamlet (Bernardo/Lucianus Player), Emma (Robert Martin), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Flute/Moth). Ballet credits include The Sleeping Beauty (Catalabutte).

Lily Marsh (Elinor Dashwood) is thrilled to be making her Oklahoma Shakespeare debut this season! She’s currently a BFA Acting major at Oklahoma City University, pursuing minors in Dramaturgy and Directing. Her most recent university credit was in Romeo & Juliet, where she understudied for Mercutio, Benvolio, The Nurse, and Friar John. She’d like to thank her family and friends for their unfailing support- and also Olivia Akers, for driving her here.

Joshua Murray (Edward Ferrars) is from McKinney, TX and recently graduated from The University of Oklahoma with a BFA in Acting. He's very excited to perform again and at OSP and loved getting to work with his castmates and is very thankful to have been blessed with getting to know this amazing group of talented actors! Some of his credits include: (OKC Rep) The Brothers Size (u/s Ogun, Oshoosi, and Elegba), The Antelope Party (u/s Ben), (OSP) Shakespeare In Love (William Shakespeare), Much Ado About Nothing (Borachio), Hamlet (Guildenstern), Emma (John Knightley), (OU) Red Bike (Ensemble), Pippin (Player with Fire/Ensemble).

Jacey Nichole (Anne Elliot) is an artist from Oklahoma City. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Minor in Psychology from the University of Central Oklahoma and is attending Graduate School for Psychology. She is delighted and grateful to be making her debut with Oklahoma Shakespeare as Anne Elliot in Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker. Some of her stage work includes; Macbeth as a Witch (UCO), Hamlet as Ophelia (3rd Act Theatre), and The 39 Steps as Annabella/Margaret/Pamela (UCO). Among her technical positions; Assistant Director of Small Mouth Sounds: a virtual reality film (UCO), Stage Manager (3rd Act; Harvey, Misery), Lighting Designer (3rd Act; The Girl with the Green Eyes, Harvey, Damaged Goods), and most recently Assistant Director of The Crucible (Edmond North HS). Jacey gives her gratitude to her loved ones for their support and encouragement.

Lindsey Rollins (Cassandra Austen) is thrilled to be spending another Christmas with Oklahoma Shakespeare. Recent credits include The Wonder (3rd Act Theater); Romeo & Juliet,  Jane Austen’s A Christmas Cracker (2022/2019), Hamlet, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Sense & Sensibility, and A Midsummer Nights Dream (Oklahoma Shakespeare); Matilda the musical (KidsAlive! Theater); Beauty & the Beast (Sooner Theater); The Addams Family: A New Musical (2022/2018), King Lear, Little Women: the Musical (Rose State College); Fiddler One the Roof (El Reno Community Theater); Is He Dead? (Carpenter Square Theater), Aïda, Madame Butterfly, and Carmen (Tulsa Opera). She is an associate professor of voice at Rose State College and holds degrees in Vocal and Opera Performance from the University of Miami and Southern Nazarene University. Her proudest role is daughter, aunt of her niece and two nephews, and mom to her canine true love, Bullwinkle. Lindsey would like to dedicate her performance to her father, Joe Rollins.

Ariana Sophia (Marianne Dashwood) is so excited to be back for a second year at Jane Austen's Christmas Cracker! Previous credits include Lydia Bennet in last year's Christmas Cracker, Emily Webb in Our Town, Fairy May in The Curious Savage, and Cassius in Julius Caesar. She is currently a sophomore BFA Acting major at Oklahoma City University. Many thanks to Dillon Rasberry, Amanda Lee, Tyler Woods, and Kathryn McGill for this incredible opportunity. Prepare Ye for a Lark!

Maddie Wall (Jane Austen) is so excited to be a part of her debut production at Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park! Her most recent credit was “Making God Laugh” at 3rd Act Theatre Co. Other notable credits include: “Matilda!” (KidsAlive!); “Gilligan’s Island: the Musical” (Scene Award Winner), and “Hamlet” (3A); “Unspeakable Triumph” (Jewel Box, Gem Award Winner); “The Wolves” and “Cabaret” (NYU NSB). She holds a BFA in Drama with an emphasis in Musical Theatre from NYU Tisch’s New Studio on Broadway. She would like to give many hugs and thanks to her partner, friends, and family for their steadfast support and love. She dedicates these performances to her Angel in heaven, who always believed she could fly.

Evan Wolfe (Colonel Brandon) is a BFA Theater: Acting Emphasis Senior at the University of Oklahoma! Recent credits include Shakespeare in Love (Henslowe), Marie Antoinette (Louis XVI), Radium Girls (Lee), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Peter Quince).

Tyler Woods* (Understudy) An Equity and SAG/AFTRA actor, his credits include Virginia Stage Company, The Pearl Theatre Off-Broadway, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, and The American Shakespeare Center. His training includes Columbia University, The Public Theater, the University of Oklahoma, and Stella Adler Studios. Mr. Woods has produced, directed, acted in, or choreographed 50 Shakespeare productions, and believes firmly in the benefits of educational theatre, having served as former Education Director for OSP, and as a Teaching Artist for The Town Hall Foundation, NYC. Mr. Woods has been producing theatre in Oklahoma City for over 20 years and was a 2015 recipient of the Oklahoma Governor’s Arts Award.

PRODUCTION TEAM BIOS

Annie Armstrong (Costume Design & Wardrobe Supervisor) is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a focus on Performance and Costume Technology. She discovered her passion for costume creation during her undergraduate and started her career path working in the theatrical arts. Her professional experience includes multiple productions with the McKnight Performing Arts Center, Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park.

Edward T. Morris+ (Scenic Design) is a set and projections designer for live performance and a sustainability consultant. He’s designed 120+ stage sets for theaters across the country such as Martha Graham Dance Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, The Barrow Group, Goodspeed Opera House, Cherry Lane Theater, TheatreSquared, Kansas City Rep, San Francisco Playhouse, Weston Playhouse, and Westport Country Playhouse. He also designed Halloween decorations for President Obama’s White House in 2015. Edward is passionate about conserving our environment and co-authored The Sustainable Production Toolkit. He has taught at Connecticut College and The New School and guest lectured on sustainability at numerous universities around the United States. He is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829 and Wingspace Theatrical Design. He graduated from University of Michigan and Yale School of Drama.

Dillon J. Rasberry (Director) Dillon received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Education from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond and currently serves as the Edmond North high school Director of Theatre Arts. UCO Credits: Rhinoceros (Old Gentleman), Small Mouth Sounds (Jan) and Everybody (Co-Director). Miami Little Theatre Credits: Oklahoma! (Will Parker), Oliver! (The Artful Dodger), and The Sound of Music (Kurt VonTrapp). Oklahoma Shakespeare credits include: Venus in Fur (Stage Manager), Blithe Spirit (Stage Manager), Much Ado About Nothing (Asst. Director) and Shakespeare in Love (Hugh Fennyman). This is his directorial debut with the company. Additionally, Rasberry serves on the Oklahoma Shakespeare Board of Directors. He was last seen in Jewel Box Theatre’s production of The Last Night of Ballyhoo (Peachy Weil) in which he won the Gem Award for best featured actor. For Edmond Public Schools: The Crucible (Director), Oklahoma! (Director), Our Town (Director), The 39 Steps (Director), The Sister Act (Co-Director). @dillon.rasberry

Jenna Rowell (Stage Manager) is a stage manager and dramaturg from Arlington, Texas. Recent SM credits include Shakespeare in Love, Romeo and Juliet, Born With Teeth, Jane Austen’s Christmas Cracker, and Hamlet (Okla. Shakespeare); and Shrek The Musical (Craft Productions of Okla.). Her recent ASM & PA credits include The Antelope Party, The Brothers Size, Superstitions, and The Great Leap (OKC Rep); Man of La Mancha (Asolo Repertory Theatre); and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Okla. Shakespeare). She holds a BFA in Dramaturgy and Stage Management and a BA in Journalism from The University of Oklahoma.  www.jennarowell.com

Clara Wiebe (she/her) (Lighting Design) is a Lighting Designer who is passionate about storytelling through the expression of color and form. She enjoys painting and sees lighting as an extension of that art form coming to life. She has been honored to be a co-recipient of KC/ACTF National Barbizon Award for Excellence in Lighting Design for her Woe Is Me lighting design. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Clara has worked with a diverse group of artists and directors. She interned as an Assistant Lighting Designer for LA Opera’s 2017-19 seasons. She received her Associate of Arts and Emerging Theatre Technology certificate at Citrus College. Then after achieved a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design and Production from Oklahoma City University, with an emphasis in Lighting Design and Technology. (clarawiebe.com)